Walking unaided post-op 17 days?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hey, Hippies...okay, I'm not doing this on purpose, but I just started forgetting to use my walker yesterday and although "caution is king" is still tattooed on my forehead...and I'm not walking very normally...it feels more normal than walking with an aid, e.g. the walker. I'm using it when I'm the least bit more fatigued (that caution thing) and I've booked an asap app't with a private PT for tomorrow morning (the torque in my operated side is almost cartoon-ish). So...uhmmmm...comments? Experiences? All appreciated. 

2

Hey you,

I am nine weeks post op. Op on 15th January. Only home three days when, during the coldest spell of the winter, my central heating boiler decided to stop running.

My physio arrived for his first visit at the same time as the heating engineer. He found me walking around unaided and thought he had come to the wrong house!

The truth is that during the mayhem, I simply forgot. I was twisting on my operated leg and also bending. Goodness only knows how I got away with it!

My physio grabbed my walker and demanded that I use it.

He returned the following day and with the walker showed me how to walk heels first; he told me to dig my heels into the floor. Your physio may prefer crutches but he will show you how to walk with even gait which is really important.

Good luck on your journey.

morrie

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amazing account...thank you!

4

Thanks for starting the discussion!!  I am six weeks post op and found switching to crutches let me straighten up alot more than the walker.  It felt sooooo much better.

I'm also looking forward to feedback from others on the conversion to no aid.  I can walk but it is a bad limp and seems like there are still some thigh muscles that have not yet gotten with the program!

5

Hi, Jamie...i like the idea of crutches because of the upwardness, for sure. Conversely I like the walker for the extra support when i need it. We don't seem to use crutches here (Ontario) for thr post-op, just a cane after the walker stage. Much to consider...

I'm hopeful for some illumination at tomorrow's pt appt.

6

Hi. I didn't have a walker - just crutches. I found that I could use just one crutch quite quickly and I was walking around inside without crutches at 3 weeks. I think it all depends on what feels good for you. I was careful to observe all the restrictions though. I was told I could drive at 4 weeks but I left it a bit longer than that. No restrictions at all after 3 months which I think is pretty standard.

7

Hi

My hospital in Scotland only gives you sticks on discharge but just over 3 weeks post op I can get around without them in the house. Still use one for the stairs but walking upright without them in the house. As long as you feel comfortable and there are no trip hazards, you should be fine but always err on the side of caution. If you are leaning over to one side your PT should give you advice on how to correct this. I always try to stand tall when I'm walking without sticks and take it slow. 

Jan

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Hey well done you.  I too ditched the sticks quite quickly as they just annoyed me and got in the way and I kept dropping them, then couldn't bend down to get them gggrr!.  I remember when I was about 20 days in I walked to my GP which is about 1km away and I took one stick.  I walked there and back and it was freezing and my stick hand was numb with cold.  I  decided then to ditch the stick completely.  I focus on walking tall without a limp and am doing well I am now nearly 7 weeks.  

Re PT I only had one appointemnt with a private physio who gave me some additional excercises to do to help stop the limp. I could do with a massage though as muscles and tendons are still quite tight.

You are doing great!

Alison x

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haha, I growled when I read "couldn't bend down to get them" - before I even read the "grrrr!"  ha!  Oh, the irony of dropping...the reacher (finesses a kick up against a textured surface).

Amazing feat, Alison, all that walking at 20 dayas. Holi canoli.

Unfortunately I have a serious limp. I read up on the golfball syndrome but in my case it - my operated hip is soooo much higher than it was pre-surgery, and the "thing" in my buttock cheek is more akin to a fist or small boulder than a golfball...immediately following surgery until now. So...all hands on board now...I booked the private PT tomorrow morning, an appt with the surgeon next Tuesday and an appt with my osteopath next Thursday. I totally get the giving-it-time thing, but I can't progress successfully walkingn with such a limp (and, ouch, what it's doing to my back, etc.). And I want to progress correctly. All that whining aside...I do walk with better flow and more upright with the walker (the wheely kind) so I'm limiting the unaided sprees, e.g. when it's a pain to negotiate it from Point A to Point B. Thanks, Alison!

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Hi Jamie

My physio told me that the excercises that focus on pulling your knee out  are the best to correct a limp. So work the gluteus medius with firstly lots of butt clenching (when you clench your butt your knee turns out), also lateral leg raises (maybe with bands for extra tension), also clamshell - lie on non-op side with pillow between your legs and feet together. Then keeping your pelvis facing forward - dont tilt back - tighten your tummy and attempt to lift your knee up (like a clam opening). Another thing she told me was to practise standing and balancing on your operated leg.  This really helped me. I am nearly 7 weeks, I still limp a bit but am getting much better.

BW

Alison x

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I am for ever dropping my crutches, they seem to fall over even if they are properly propped up against something. Unfortunately my surgeon wants me to use both of them until I see him at the end of March. I am 5 weeks post operative today.

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Sounds like you have a good positive attitude. Keep at it and engage all the help of the professionals. I am not sure what an osteopath does exactly but you should proably tell ur surgeon you are seeing one. Keep us posted with your progress.  I ventured out to the supermarket fairly early on post op and I found I could walk better holding on to the trolley rather than sticks so makes sense. I also just looked like a regular customer 

Take care

Alison x

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You need my 'stick clips' - see the website.... the clip stops them falling over.

Graham - 🚀💃

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Also goof for grabbers.   Just park the item on the nearest surface - table, kitchen worktop, window ledge etc.

15

goof = good !!!!!

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yes, the trolley/shopping cart foil!  : ) am loving the "regular" look.  ha! An osteopath is a GP of the physical body; mine literally saved my life after my accident. He's the one medical professional that I have in my circle that I can honestly call a "health" professional.

17

Hi Skidge, 

Well, as said previously, 17 days post-op is pretty early in recovery - It is very tempting to walk without aids , especially in the house - apparently it also develops bad habits or we return to our old way of walking - I had conflicting  instructions - After 1st THR my then Physical therapist wanted me to walk unaided in the house as soon as possible - furniture surfing so to speak-  PT at 2nd THR (different one) freaked out wheni showed him : Look, no hands!!! at 2 weeks post-op and ordered met to use my walker until after 6-8 weeks follow up appointment- I didn't have crutches either  - 

I still take my cane with me but using it less - I tire easily and when tired I start limping - 

So keep using your walker - just make sure your body is fully erect and keep walker close to your body biggrin -

big warm hug - seems like you are doing excellent

renee

18

It is great to read a good news story :-)

I was discharged with crutches. But by the second week, I was using one and that lasted a few days. Last Sunday (week 8) I  walked for 8 miles unaided (incl getting to and from London). I was a little sore by the evening. A day in a spa (dah-ling) on Monday washed away any aches and pais and I feel on top of the  world today. 

But, apparently, I am not allowed to drive for another 4 weeks. #crazy.

Michael 

 

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I'll take that warm hug, Renee, and all that sage advice and experience.  Thank  you so much. I'm looking forward to some good info over the next week from the THR medical folk. Not sure if it will compare to this fabulous forum, though  : )  but, the more, the merrier.

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Wow, Michael .... I am so jealous ... not only of the day at the spa but also of walking  8 miles unaided at 8 weeks -

Good job ....